Читать книгу Veterinary Treatment of Pigs - Graham R Duncanson - Страница 84

Pet pigs are treated by DEFRA the same as commercial pigs. The owner is required to be registered with DEFRA and have a holding number.

Fig. 1.23. Pigs make good outdoor pets.

Fig. 1.24. Easy to throw scraps to these pigs kept at a children’s care home.

The movement of all pigs must be recorded in an ‘On Farm Movement Record’. This records the date the pigs were moved from or to the premises, the numbers moved, their identification marks and the address to or from which they have been moved. Welfare must be considered (Fig. 1.29).

No pigs should be moved off premises within 20 days of any pigs moving on to those premises. When pigs are moved off premises a movement licence must accompany them, which can be a signed declaration by the owner. When a self-issued declaration is issued, a copy should be sent to the local authority. Blank copies of declaration forms may be obtained from the Trading Standards department of the local authority or farming organizations such as the National Farmers’ Union.

Pigs may be allowed to visit veterinary premises for emergency treatment, but the DVM needs to be informed as soon as possible if the regulations regarding pigs coming on to the holding within 20 days have not been adhered to. The vehicle needs to be thoroughly washed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant before and after the journey.

Fig. 1.25. Pigs benefit from walking on concrete to keep their hooves worn.

Fig. 1.26. A deciduous canine.

If pigs are carried in a vehicle loaded and unloaded just for the purpose of feeding and watering, there is no requirement to cleanse and disinfect the vehicle.

If pigs are moved under a movement declaration to a slaughterhouse, they must be slaughtered within 72 h. They cannot be removed alive from the slaughterhouse.

All persons in charge of premises receiving pigs must retain a copy of all movement declarations for 6 months.

It must be remembered that as pigs are a potential food-producing animal, a medicine book has to be kept by the owner. All medicines have to be recorded: the amount, name and batch number of the medicine, and the expiry date. The identification of the pig and the route of administration also have to be noted. Lastly, even though it may be abhorrent to the owner, the date when the pig is fit for human consumption has to be recorded.

Fig. 1.27. A smallholder herd. A single sow and her litter.

A booklet giving advice on the legal aspects of owning pigs has been published by Animal Health. It is aimed at people who keep, or are considering keeping, pigs or ‘micro’ pigs as pets or as a hobby. This booklet can be downloaded from Animal Health’s website (http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla-en/files/pub-pigs-micro-pet.pdf). This booklet gives advice on not only disease control but also animal welfare requirements. Points on feeding and biosecurity are also covered.